The West Coast prospect in for a massive 2026
East Perth rookie a highlight of AFL Futures match, Ella Roberts being Ella Roberts and the most awesome debut of the AFLW season.
G’day friends, hope you all enjoyed an epic grand final day and public holiday Monday to boot. How good.
Jumper Punches was lucky enough to head over and see the Lions claim back-to-back flags. I started this newsletter because I love WA Footy, but I’m also a Queenslander originally so I feel like I could half jump on the bandwagon without feeling like too much of a sellout.
Congrats to fellow Queenslander-turned-West Australian Charlie Cameron, Callum Ah Chee and Brandon Starcevich for a second flag.
Today’s newsletter includes: Ella Roberts being Ella Roberts, a second huge week for a rising Freo midfielder, the best debut this AFLW season and the West Coast draft prospect who’s in for a massive 2026.
Let’s get stuck in.
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AFLW
The Ella Roberts show rolls on at West Coast. Already having one of the best individual W seasons we’ve seen in the west since Kiara Bowers in 2021, Roberts was the driving force in the Eagles’ record 42-point win over GWS at Mineral Resources Park at the weekend. She had a run-with player on her tail, a very sore elbow, and still finished with 23 disposals, six clearances, eight tackles and a goal. Roberts also got the full 10 coaches’ votes - leaving her third in the race for the AFLCA AFLW Champion Player of the Year.
Absolutely stoked to see Lisa Steane make her debut for the Eagles as a top-up player after flu swept through the squad. Steane was delisted from Sydney last season but had an unreal year for Subiaco in the WAFLW and is a ripping human. She joined the WAFL’s Seven Point Play podcast this year to tell us a bit of her story.
Things aren’t as rosy for Fremantle. The Dockers’ chances of making finals are in strife after a nine-point loss to Carlton on Friday night. The Dockers are a game and a heap of percentage outside the top eight, sitting in 12th. Their next two opponents Hawthorn and Melbourne are both in the top three.
A big positive has been the form of Gabby Newton. We mentioned her last week and she was even better against the Blues. Newton had 28 disposals, nine tackles, four clearances and a goal in the loss and was easily her side’s best.
AFL FUTURES GAME
The AFL Grand Final day kicked off with the best 2026 AFL Draft prospects running onto the MCG to take part in an annual showcase. This year’s two sides featured West Aussies Garrison Kenh (East Perth), Lucas Robinson (South Fremantle), Harvey Spawton-Guy (West Perth), Mitchell Stirling (Peel), George Gale (Claremont), Heath Mellody (Claremont), Koby LeCras (West Perth) and Benji Van Rooyen (Claremont).
Garrison Kenh is, for me, one of the most interesting WA prospects in next year’s draft. He was really good in the Futures game with 19 disposals and plenty of attack out of the backline. The West Coast NGA prospect probably didn’t have the colts season he dreamed of for the Royals and missed out on WA U18 selection as a result, but could be in for a big 2026. At his best he’s a quick, creative, playmaking half-back. Let’s hope it all lines up for him next year.
In a game where players generally have space to show their flair, Lucas Robinson was typically all about the in-and-under grunt work. The Bulldog had 19 disposals, five tackles and seven clearances in the middle. He’s in some ways the opposite to Kenh - Robinson had an unreal 2025 at colts and school level, but recruiters are all about explosive pace at the moment so he’s not high on their lists. Expect him to dominate next year regardless.
Heath Mellody also had a great fortnight. After starring for Claremont in their WAFL colts flag, he was at his classy best again off a wing and half back line on the MCG. He’s good in the air, uses it really well, and can run. Looms as one of the first WA boys to be picked next year.
TRADES
Melbourne’s Judd McVee has requested a trade to Fremantle. The 22-year-old East Fremantle product has a position waiting for him at half-back. Despite his age, he’s already got two top-10 best and fairest finishes to his name at a club which was competing for the top eight at the time. Would be a great get.
Premiership defender Brandon Starcevich still looks likely to land at West Coast despite suffering another head knock in Brisbane’s grand final win. The Lions say he was benched as a cautionary measure.
That’s the lot for today. Thanks again for reading.
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Catch you next week.